People toss a Frisbee as a cloud covers the sun at Railroad Park in Birmingham, Ala., in this June 27, 2013 file photo. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- It has been a week since the city of Birmingham took over most maintenance, security and grounds keeping responsibilities at Railroad Park, and officials continue to evaluate the costs and implementation of those new services.

Here's what we know so far:

City cash for park set to remain the same

Mayor William Bell's proposed 2015 city budget will include the same $450,000 appropriation for Railroad Park as this year, said his chief of staff, Chuck Faush.

Both the city and the non-profit Railroad Park Foundation have said the city's annual budget commitment to the park would decrease in the years following Birmingham's increased role.

"We have evaluated taking on additional responsibilities and we're going to take a hard look at how these first year experiences are going to be implemented," Faush said. "We feel like we're going to be able to perform at a level where citizens and visitors are served and will not see any differences in what they've seen and enjoyed."

All private contracts under review

Faush said the city's cost for security, maintenance and other duties at the park would be less than the $500,000 that the Railroad Park Foundation paid annually.

He said city departments, including public works, have adequate resources and equipment, to handle park grounds keeping. Public works is already responsible for maintenance at the other city parks.

The same goes for security, where the police will supplement the current private company at the park.

Current contracts including security cameras and 'park rangers' will remain for now, but will be evaluated and possibly reduced.

"It may mean some modification, but it is not an ending," Faush said. "We're going to do an assessment."

A new plan to cut old debt

The agreement approved last week with the city allows the Park Foundation the ability to manage the park, but shifts more of its focus to eliminating a $2.6 million construction debt and increasing private support for park activities over daily physical needs.

Regions bank has agreed to forgive half the debt, while private support will help retire the remaining portion.

"In order to reach another level, they have indicated they will continue to support Railroad Park at an increased level if the city showed as much commitment," Faush said. "That's really what this is all about."

The city's new role will slash the annual expenses of Railroad Park Foundation from $1.19 million to a projected $688,500.